NORTHBOROUGH – From a ribbon cutting, to a buzzer-beating touchdown and a robot launching tee-shirts into brand new bleachers, football fans had plenty to cheer about Friday night at Algonquin Regional High School.
The school community gathered to celebrate the grand opening of Algonquin’s new athletic complex. The Titans varsity football team met the moment and secured a 19-7 win against Nashoba in their first game of the season.
“It feels like home,” said Algonquin wide receiver Jordan Lopez moments after the final whistle. “We’re finally home and we get to get a few wins. It feels great.”
Northborough and Southborough residents greenlit building the new athletic complex with Town Meeting votes last spring. Crews broke ground in the summer of 2023. Work then continued through the fall and winter and wrapped up earlier this year.
Algonquin student athletes played their first games at the complex in the spring. In June, Algonquin held graduation within the complex. Earlier this month, the Northborough Community Affairs Committee hosted its inaugural concert at the complex’s new pavilion.
Still, Friday’s game marked a milestone as Algonquin held the facility’s ribbon cutting.
“This project was truly a team effort and it would not have been possible without the unwavering commitment of many,” said Principal Sean Bevan during pregame remarks.
Bevan voiced gratitude for project leaders and supporters. Among supporters, he thanked the citizens of Northborough and Southborough. “Your support and patience through this process has been extraordinary,” Bevan said. “You believed in this vision and trusted us to make it a reality.”
Greeted by a thunderous crowd at Algonquin’s first football home game since Thanksgiving Day in 2022, the Titans jumped out to an 8-0 lead on a rushing touchdown by Owen Ellsworth and a successful two-point conversion. Nashoba answered with a touchdown and an extra point, narrowing Algonquin’s lead to 8-7. The teams remained deadlocked through much of the second quarter until quarterback Will Mahoney connected with Lopez on a touchdown pass just three seconds before halftime. Algonquin tacked on another two-point conversion and entered halftime with a nine-point lead.
While Algonquin and Nashoba players huddled, Algonquin’s robotics team engaged the crowd with a tee-shirt throwing robot that hurled shirts into the student section. Students also unveiled a banner proclaiming “We are all Titans.”
For robotics team member Oliver Gaskamp, the evening was an opportunity to showcase the robotics program and enjoy Algonquin’s newest amenities.
“It’s really cool to see the new field being put to use after a couple years of it just being empty,” Gaskamp told the Community Advocate.
The Titans soon retook the field for the second half. Though the offense did not find the endzone, it tacked on a field goal to pad Algonquin’s advantage. The defense also stood tall and helped secure the win.
While fans filed away from Richard Walsh Field, football head coach Mark Allen said his team had work to do.
“It was kind of an ugly win,” he said. “But a win is a win and we will take it Week One.”
Lopez said the win “feels great.” Neither he nor his coach, though, were lingering on Friday’s result. Both looked ahead to Algonquin’s Week Two matchup with Doherty Memorial High School on Sept. 13, where the Titans will aim to notch their second win under the new athletic complex lights.
“I’m proud of these guys, proud of our coaches, they played well,” Allen said. “We just got to clean some stuff up.”
“It’s great momentum for next week,” Lopez said. “I hope we can stack another win and take it week-by-week.”